Pumping apparatus



PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 23, 19:57 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 fraz erzzans,James .5. Dean,

Edward Jckrr zz'dl,

23/ zFM, 4am & WW 1559 June 13, 1939. J. L. DEAN El AL PUMPING APPARATUS4 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1957 fiz eizzbns', Jam es L. flea, v 7Edward 15' cizmz'dl;

12y wwyvwy Ami/ya.

J. L. DEAN ET AL PUMPING APPARATUS June 13, 1939.

Filed Oct. 25, 1937 I I 55 45 A5 v m i 1 I 3/ 4 Sheets-Sheet 5Inverzlaw; cfamas Z..Dem7z,

- Edward Jcizmz'dt,

days:

June 13, 1939. DEAN ET AL I 2,162,247

PUMPING APPARATUS 7 Filed Oct. 23, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 In verz Z0 25;

James J. Dean, Edward Jc7zmzizj 3y K WzW Atty:

Patented June 13, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT orric PUMPING APPARATUS ofMassachusetts Application October 23, 1937, Serial No. 170,516

12 Claims.

This invention relates to means for priming pumps, particularly pumps ofthe centrifugal type where the water (or other liquid) escapes from thesuction pipe (or hose) when the pump stops. To start such a pump it isnecessary to refill the suction pipe with water. For this purpose it hasbeen proposed to employ a storage tank having sufiicient capacity torefill the suction pipe, but where the pipe is long this method involvesa tank of excessive dimensions, especially for portable apparatus.

Objects of the present invention are automatically to effect quick andreliable priming, with apparatus which is compact and if desired readilyportable, and Without a large storage tank or tanks superposed one aboveanother or check valves, and generally to improve the art to which theinvention relates.

In one aspect the invention involves a priming tank on the inlet side ofthe pump and means for recirculating liquid from the pump through thepriming tank back to the pump, with an aspirator or other air pumpoperated by the recirculated liquid, the air inlet to the aspiratorcommunicating with the upper portion of the priming tank to draw air outof the suction pipe during recirculation of water, thereby to refill thesuction pipe with Water. The apparatus also preferably comprises meansfor automatically controlling the recirculation of water, eithercompletely stopping the recirculation after the pump is primed orreducing the circulation until it is approximately sufficient to removethe small amount of air which continually tends to accumulate in theupper portion of the priming tank during normal operation of theapparatus.

In another aspect of the invention the apparatus comprises means forventing the priming tank when the pump stops, thereby to prevent thewater from siphoning from the priming tank through the suction pipe,together with one or more storage tanks to insure that the priming tankand pump are left substantially full of water after all of the water inthe suction pipe has escaped.

In thepreferred embodiment of the invention two storage tanks areemployed, the first comprising a portion of the outlet or dischargeconduit leading from the pump and the second being located intermediatethe first storage tank and the priming tank and forming a part of thebypass or recirculation conduit. The first storage chamber alsopreferably serves as a float chamber for a float controlling valve forthe various conduits through the apparatus.

For the purpose of illustration a preferred embodiment of the inventionis illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View with the cover removed; 7

Fig, 3 is a front elevation with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation with parts in section;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the valve viewed from the right-hand sideof Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6;

Figs, 8 to 11 show the valve in idle position, Fig. 8 being a left endelevation, Fig. 9 being a section on line 9-9, Fig. 10 being a sectionon line Illl!l, and Fig. 11 being a section on line IIII of Fig.7; and

Figs. 12 to 15 are corresponding views of the valve in normal runningposition.

The particular embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose ofillustration comprises a priming tank I, a first storage tank 2 Whichserves as an outlet or discharge chamber and as a float chamber, and asecond storage tank 3 which also serves as a valve chamber and as aportion of the recirculation conduit. The chambers 2 and 3 are formed ina single casing with a partition 4 therebetween completely to separatethe two chambers from each other except for a valve passage hereinafterdescribed. As shown in Fig. 3 the priming tank I is at approximately thesame elevation as the tanks 2 and 3 but is downwardly offset so that thetanks 2 and 3 extend somewhat above the tank I. The suction pipe 5enters the priming tank at the left-hand side near the top, and in itstop the priming tank is provided with a clean-out opening closed bycover 6. The pump 1 is connected on its inlet side to the bottom of thepriming tank through a pipe 8 and on its outlet side to the bottom ofthe outlet or storage chamber 2. A conical deflector 9 is fixedlymounted over the outlet IQ of the pump to deflect the water entering thetank 2. The top of tank 2 is provided with an outlet coupling 60 and thetop of tank 3 is provided with a valve 6| which permits the escape ofair but not water.

Near the bottom of the chamber 3 is a valve comprising a rotary portionH and a fixed tubular casing 12 having a threaded portion it of reduceddiameter which extends through the partition 4, the casing being mountedon this partition by means of nuts 14 and I5 (Fig. 4) t re ded. on thereduced portion l3. At the lefthand end (Fig. 7) the valve II projectsfrom the casing and is provided with an angular flange I6 seatingagainst the end of the casing. At the right-hand end the valve IIcarries a ring I! which overlaps the casing and is secured to the valveby means of a machine screw I8. The inner periphery of the casing I2 isprovided with annular grooves I9 which are filled with felt or othersuitable packing material.

The valve II is provided with passageways 2|, 22, 23 and 24. As shown inFigs. 2 and '7 the passageway 2| is L-shaped, the end 25 extendingthrough the end of the valve and the other end extending radially to theperiphery of the valve. The passageways 22 and 24 are straight and theiraxes are parallel to the axis of the radial portion of passageway 2|.The passageway 23 is also straight but in its idle position (Fig. 10)its axis is inclined to the vertical by an angle approximately equal tothe extent of rotation of the valve II (approximately 50 in theillustration). As shown in Figs. 9 and 13 the passage 22 is shapedand/or disposed so that in the normal operating position (Fig. 13) thepassageway is not entirely closed.

The axial end of the passageway 2i communicates with the chamber 2 andthe radial portion communicates with the chamber 3. One end of thepassageway 2-2 also'communicates with the chamber 3, the other endcommunicating with the priming tank 6 through a pipe 32. In theoperating position the lower end of the passageway 23 communicates withan auxiliary outlet 3I of the pump through a pipe 33 and the upper endof the passageway communicates with chamber 3 through a pipe 33 whichextends almost to the top of chamber 3 and then. turns through 180 withits free end' terminating near the bottom of the chamber. Connected inthe pipe 33' is an aspirator 35 having an air inlet which communicateswith the upper portion of the priming tank through a pipe 33". In theidle position the passageway 24 communicates at its left-hand end withthe upper portion of the priming chamber through a pipe 34 and at itsright-hand end with the atmosphere through a pipe 34 extending throughthe chamber 3.

The valve I I is actuated by a float 4!] in chamber 2, the float beingconnected with the valve by means of a crank-arm II and a link 42 havinga pin and slot connection with the crankarm. The float is shielded fromwater agitation in chamber 2 by means of a partition 43 extending fromthe top of the chamber part way toward the bottom of the chamber.

When the pump is idle the water stands in each of the chambers I, 2 and3 at the level X (Fig. 3), chambers I and 2 communicate through pump 1,chambers 2 and 3 communicate through valve passage 2| and chambers 3 andI communicate through valve passage 22. When the pump is started wateris pumped from chamber I to chamber 2, causing float 40 to rise, theexcess water recirculating through valve passages 2I and 22 back to thepriming tank. As the valve rises the vent pipe 3434 to the top of thepriming tank is closed at 24 and the aspirator pipe 33-33 is opened at23 to cause air to be pumped from the top of the priming tank I to thebottom of storage tank 3, whence it bubbles upwards through the tank tothe air discharge valve BI. As air is drawn from the suction pipe 5 tothe priming tank it is removed by the aspirator until the apparatus isoperating normally; and thereafter the function of the aspirator ismerely to remove the relatively small amount of air which continuallytends to accumulate in the top of the priming tank. When the apparatusarrives at normal operating condition, or shortly thereafter, the floatreaches its uppermost position, the passageway 2| from chamber 2 tochamber 3 is completely closed and the passageway 22 from chamber 3 tochamber I is almost closed, leaving an opening only approximately largeenough to permit egress of the water flowing through the aspirator tochamber 3. In the normal running operation of the apparatus the chambers2 and 3 are substantially full of water.

When the pump is stopped the weight oi the water in the suction pipe 5tends to syphon the water backwards. out of the apparatus. The loss ofwater from the priming tank is replenished by Water flowing through thepump from the float chamber. As water escapes from the float chamber thefloat drops, opening vent 343 i' at valve 24 to break the vacuum. in thepriming tank, thereby stopping the syphoning action. The actuation ofvalve II also opens the passageways 2I and 22 to permit water to flowfrom storage chamber 3 to the float chamber 2 and to the priming chamberI. Thus tank 2 serves as a storage chamber to replenish the priming tankuntil the syphon is broken and the storage chamber 3 then replenishesboth chambers I and 2, leaving the water level at X (Fig. 3).

From the foregoing it will be evident that instead of having to store abody of water equal to or greater than the capacity of the suction pipe5 the size of the apparatus is greatly reduced by recirculating thestored water while air is being pumped out of the suction pipe by therecirculating water passing" through the aspirator. The apparatus isalso rendered more readily portable by virtue of the arrangement of thechambers at approximately the same elevation instead of in superposedrelationship. Another practical advantage consists in that no checkvalves. are required.

It should be understood that the present dis closure is for the purposeof illustration only and that this invention includes all modificationsand equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump, a priming tank, first and secondstorage tanks, con nections from the priming tank to the pump, thence tothe first and second storage tanks, a by-pass conduit for recirculatingliquid from the outlet side of the pump back to the priming tank whenthe pump starts pumping, means for automatically venting the primingtank when the pump stops pumping, and means for automatically returningliquid from said second tank to said first tank and to the priming tankalter the latter is vented by said venting means.

2. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump, a priming tank, first aid secondstorage'tanks, said tanks being located at approximately the sameelevation, connections from the priming tank to the pump, thence to thefirst and second storage tanks, a by-pass conduit for recirculatingliquid from the outlet side of the pump back to the priming tank whenthe pump starts pumping, means for automatically venting the primingtank when the pu p S p P p ng. and means for automatically returningliquid from said second tank to said first tank and to the priming tankafter the latter is vented by said venting means.

3. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump, a

priming tank, first and second storage tanks, said tanks being locatedat approximately the same location but at least one of the storage tanksprojecting above the priming tank, connections from the priming tank tothe pump, thence to the first and second storage tanks, a by-passconduit for recirculating liquid from the outlet side of the pump backto the priming tank when the pump starts pumping, means forautomatically venting the priming tank when the pump stops pumping, andmeans for automatically returning liquid from said second tank to saidfirst tank and to the priming tank after the latter is vented by saidventing means.

4. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump having inlet and outlet conduitsincluding a priming tank and a storage tank respectively, a by-passconduit from the storage tank to the priming tank, an auxiliary conduitfor conducting a part of the water propelled by said pump, an aspiratorin the auxiliary outlet for drawing air from the priming tank, andautomatic means for opening the by-pass conduit and closing theauxiliary conduit when the pump stops pumping.

5. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump having inlet and outlet conduitsincluding a priming tank and a storage tank respectively, a by-passconduit from the storage tank to the priming tank, an auxiliary conduitfor a portion of the pumped liquid, an aspirator in the auxiliaryconduit, an evacuating conduit from the upper portion of the primingtank to the aspirator through which air is drawn from the priming tankby the aspirator, a vent conduit for the priming tank, valves for saidby-pass and auxiliary and vent conduits, and a float responsive to theliquid level in said storage tank and connected to operate all of saidvalves.

6. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump having inlet and outlet conduitsincluding a priming tank and a storage tank respectively, a by-passconduit from the storage tank to the priming tank, an auxiliary conduitfor a portion of the pumped liquid, an aspirator in the auxiliaryconduit, an evacuating conduit from the upper portion of the primingtank to the aspirator through which air is drawn from the priming tankby the aspirator, a vent conduit for the priming tank, and means forautomatically opening the auxiliary conduit, throttling the by-passconduit and closing the vent conduit when the pump starts pumpmg.

7. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump, a priming tank on the inlet sideof the pump, first and second storage tanks on the outlet side of thepump, a conduit between said storage tanks, a conduit between saidsecond tank and said priming tank, a valve in each of said-conduits, andmeans for automatically opening said valves when the pump stops.

8. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump, a priming tank on the inlet sideof the pump, first and second storage tanks on the outlet side of thepump, a conduit between said storage tanks, a conduit between saidsecond tank and said priming tank, a valve in each of said conduits, andmeans including a float in said first tank for automatically openingsaid valves when the pump stops.

9. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump, a priming tank on the inlet sideof the pump, a discharge chamber on the outlet side of the pump, astorage chamber, a conduit between the discharge chamber and storagechamber, a conduit between the storage chamber and the priming chamber,a conduit for venting the priming tank, a valve in each of saidconduits, and means for automatically moving each of said valves towardclosed position in response to normal operation of the pump.

10. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump, a priming tank on the inletside of the pump, a discharge chamber on the outlet side of the pump, astorage chamber, a conduit between the discharge chamber and storagechamber, a conduit between the storage chamber and the priming chamber,an auxiliary conduit through which liquid is pumped by said pump, anaspirator in said auxiliary conduit, an evacuating conduit from theupper portion of the priming tank to the aspirator through which air isdrawn from the priming tank by the aspirator, a vent conduit for ventingthe priming tank, a valve in each of said conduits, the valve in theauxiliary conduit being normally closed, and means for actuating thevalves in response to operation of the pump.

11. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump, a priming tank on the inletside of the pump, a discharge chamber on the outlet side of the pump, astorage chamber, a conduit between the discharge chamber and storagechamber, a conduit between the storage chamber and the priming chamber,a conduit for venting the priming tank, a valve having a passageway foreach of said conduits, and means responsive to normal operation of thepump for actuating said valve.

12. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump, a priming tank on the inletside of the pump, a discharge chamber on the outlet side of the pump, astorage chamber, a conduit between the discharge chamber and storagechamber, a conduit between the storage chamber and the priming chamber,an auxiliary conduit through which liquid is pumped by said pump, anaspirator in said auxiliary conduit, an evacuating conduit from theupper portion of the priming tank to the aspirator through which air isdrawn from the priming tank by the aspirator, a vent conduit for ventingthe priming tank, a valve having a passageway for each of said conduits,and means responsive to normal operation of the pump for actuating saidvalve.

JAMES L. DEAN. EDWARD SCHMIDT.

